Viktor Gyokeres likely to leave Sporting CP, where could he end up? | OneFootball

Viktor Gyokeres’ future has become a big topic of speculation over the past few weeks, and it is anticipated that he will depart Sporting CP when the transfer window reopens this summer.

The Sweden international has been a revelation since joining the Portuguese giants from Coventry City in 2023. He had a brilliant debut campaign with 42 goals and 15 assists from 50 appearances.

The 26-year-old has bettered his statistics this term with 52 goals and 12 assists from just 48 outings. This has included six hat-tricks, including one against Manchester City in the Champions League.

There were questions raised about whether Gyokeres could replicate his goal contributions from last season, but the striker has answered his critics, having managed more goal involvements in fewer games.

The former Coventry man has a pact with Sporting CP to leave for £60 million, and it appears he could be Premier League-bound.

Gyokeres previously spent four seasons with Brighton & Hove Albion between 2017 and 2021. He did not make a single top-flight appearance and was restricted to eight Cup games, scoring one goal.

The striker will want to prove a point in the prime of his career, and here are two potential destinations.

Arsenal

The Gunners have had a difficult league campaign amid injuries and dubious refereeing decisions. They look poised to finish second in the table for the third season running.

The lack of a regular goalscorer has been a concern for a while. Arsenal were touted to land a new marksman last summer but ended up without recruiting anyone.

The decision was a huge surprise, given Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have been unconvincing in the final third.

Havertz has a shot-to-goal conversion rate of 17 percent in the league this season, while Jesus’ stands lower at 15%.

Gyokeres would be an upgrade. He has converted 29 percent of his shots into goals in the Primeira Liga.

He has also created 11 big chances for his teammates. Havertz and Jesus have created just four goalscoring opportunities.

Gyokeres’ arrival at the Gunners would make them serious contenders for the league title as well as the Champions League.

Arsenal are already doing the groundwork to purchase him. There is a ‘strong interest‘ from their side, as per journalist David Ornstein.

Correio da Manha in Portugal claim that he has already given the green light to the project after holding talks with sporting director Andrea Berta.

The Gunners are in a good position to sign him, but Manchester United could be their main rivals for his signature.

Manchester United

United manager Ruben Amorim played a big part in Gyokeres’ transformation during his time as Sporting CP’s manager.

There has been talk of a potential reunion at Old Trafford, but a transfer could depend on United’s European status.

If the Red Devils were to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, they could emerge as serious candidates.

Despite Arsenal’s vast process under manager Mikel Arteta, Gyokeres could be tempted to join Amorim, who brought the best out of him in Portugal.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are United’s specialist strikers, but the duo have netted just six league goals between them.

Unlike at Arsenal, the lack of service has been a concern for the Red Devils. Barring Bruno Fernandes, the rest have struggled to create regular chances.

United could solve their limited creativity and goalscoring threat in the same summer.

The Red Devils are ready to pay the £62.5m release clause to land Wolverhampton Wanderers’ star Matheus Cunha.

The Mancunian giants could have a dream attack next season. Cunha and Fernandes could start in attacking midfield, with Gyokeres playing as the main striker.

It is a distant possibility at the moment, but the scenario could be realistic if United can secure Champions League qualification with Europa League glory.